An Israeli airstrike in Gaza City on September 19, 2026, killed one Palestinian and injured a child, according to Palestinian media reports, as ongoing attacks continue to strain the enclave’s health system.
The strike targeted a motorcycle in the Sheikh Radwan neighborhood, west of Gaza City, killing a Palestinian and leaving a child in critical condition, according to Wafa news agency. The Health Ministry warned that Gaza’s medical system is on the verge of “total collapse” due to limited aid and fuel.
Witnesses Describe ‘Double-Tap’ Attack in Gaza City
Earlier in the week, a separate Israeli strike in Gaza City killed a paramedic and a 15-year-old schoolboy, with witnesses describing a “double-tap” pattern: an initial explosion followed by a second attack on rescuers. Mohammad Abdul Zinati, 15, was killed when a drone struck him as he approached the injured paramedic Sharif Shadi Labad, who had been targeted by Israeli forces. We heard a loud explosion and tried to make our way to the scene,
said Tamer Lubbad, a witness who filmed the attack. We found a man lying on the ground. He was still alive and calling for help.
Zinati’s cousin, Mohammed Rajeh Zinati, recounted how he shouted at Mohammad to flee as a drone approached. I started shouting: ‘Run! Get away!’ At that moment, Mohammad had reached the injured man. As soon as he got there, the drone struck him,
he said. The Israeli military claimed Labad was a Hamas militant linked to the October 7, 2023, attacks, but witnesses and experts disputed the targeting. The bomb that is visible before impact is a Mikholit, which is deployed by Israeli unmanned vehicles,
said Trevor Ball, a conflict researcher. These UAVs have high-quality cameras that would have been able to see the teenager and the man approaching the body.
Ongoing Attacks Escalate Humanitarian Crisis
Israeli strikes across Gaza have killed at least 73,795 people and wounded 174,869 since the war began in October 2023. On September 16, 2026, a previously damaged building collapsed in Gaza City, killing 21 people, including 12 children. The Palestinian Civil Defence agency struggled to recover bodies due to Israeli restrictions on heavy equipment. UNICEF reported that one child is killed daily by Israel, with families confined to about a third of the enclave amid rubble and destroyed infrastructure.
The Palestinian Center for Human Rights (PCHR) documented a sharp rise in casualties, stating that Israeli forces killed 534 Palestinians between January 1 and June 5, 2026, averaging seven per 48 hours. The agency condemned the attacks as part of a systematic genocide
that does not distinguish between civilian and combatant.
In recent days, Israeli forces also targeted tents in Nuseirat and al-Bureij refugee camps, injuring multiple displaced people.
Israeli Military Defends Targeting of Hamas Operatives
However, the IDF did not address why the second strike proceeded despite the presence of a minor. The incident was under review,
the military said, adding it regrets any harm to uninvolved individuals and makes every effort to minimize such harm.
The agency has repeatedly denied allegations of deliberately targeting civilians, stating it assesses risks when carrying out strikes.
Human Toll and Unanswered Questions
Mohammad Zinati’s family described him as a kind, helpful, polite and respectful boy
who assisted elderly neighbors. His death sparked outcries in the neighborhood, with residents gathering to mourn. When he was killed, people from the neighbourhood came out into the street, crying for him,
his cousin said. The IDF’s targeting of Labad, however, remains contentious, with witnesses and experts questioning the justification.
The broader conflict shows no signs of abating. With Gaza’s health sector nearing collapse and civilian casualties mounting, the humanitarian crisis deepens. The IDF’s review of the Gaza City strike may offer clarity, but the patterns of attacks—such as the “double-tap” tactic—raise urgent questions about accountability and proportionality. As the death toll climbs, the international community faces mounting pressure to address the escalating violence.